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  1. Southern Living
  2. Holidays & Occasions
  3. Thanksgiving
  4. 32 Thanksgiving Decor Ideas Guaranteed To Inspire

32 Thanksgiving Decor Ideas Guaranteed To Inspire

By Jorie Nicole McDonald Updated June 22, 2021
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Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Thanksgiving is centered around food, so let the meal really shine this year by setting a beautiful, festive table. Avoid common setting mishaps like centerpieces that block conversations or place cards that lead to confusion. We've gathered our favorite Thanksgiving decorating ideas to make your holiday prep a cinch. Once you've planned an occasion-worthy Thanksgiving menu (and splurge-worthy desserts, of course), set a spectacular table to coordinate with your fabulous menu. With a few simple tricks you can have a table and home that looks just as festive as you please. From easy DIYs to a few store-bought life savers, these decorations will make your function feel extra special. From creative centerpieces and clever finishing touches to functional kids' table ideas and sophisticated settings, this collection of decorating ideas is guaranteed to inspire your home this holiday. The only thing more impressive than the decor will be the delicious turkey dinner.

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Corn Garland

Cornhusk Garland
Credit: Southern Living

Make a festive garland out of decorative dried corn to hang from the front door to welcome guests on Thanksgiving Day.

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Pumpkin Topiary

Pumpkin Topiaries
Credit: Helen Norman

Boost curb appeal by piling pumpkins on the porch. To make the topiaries, buy flat-topped pumpkins with short stems for easy stacking. Pots planted with flowering kale complete the look.

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Cotton Stem Wreath

Cotton Boll Wreath
Credit: Southern Living

A no-fuss cotton stem wreath will add a festive touch to your home all season long.

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Fall Leaf Paper Bag Luminaries

Embrace a Classic
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Light up your Turkey Day lunch with a trail of celebratory paper bag luminaries.

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Pumpkin-and Gourd-Wreath

Create a DIY Gourd Wreath
Credit: Helen Norman

To make the pumpkin-and-gourd wreath, first cover a 20-inch foam form with sheet moss, using a glue gun to hold the moss in place. loop a 3-inch-wide burlap ribbon over the wreath to create a hanger long enough so it can reach the top of the door and allow the wreath to hang at eye level. insert wooden florist picks into the bottoms of pumpkins and gourds, and hot- glue the connection to secure. once the glue has cooled, stick pumpkins and gourds into the wreath. fill in with more moss, using a glue gun. to hang the wreath, secure the burlap ribbon with an upholstery tack hammered into the top edge of the door.

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No-Carve Leafy Pumpkin

No-Carve Leafy Pumpkin
Credit: Southern Living

No-carve pumpkins are the ideal Thanksgiving decoration for a table centerpiece, mantle, or front porch. To get the look, apply seasonal leaves with craft glue to white pumpkin.

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Succulent Vase

Succulent Vase
Credit: Alison Miksch

For this all-natural look, SL craft guru Buffy Hargett Miller started with a gray-green pumpkin. Pick one with an indented top, because the first step will be to add potting soil to fill in the hollow around the pumpkin's stem. Moisten the soil; then plant various succulents, starting with larger ones like echeverias. Create a lush look and round out the arrangement by filling in any bare spots with smaller succulents.

We like Hoffman Organic Cactus & Succulent Soil Mix ($10.90; amazon.com). Moisten soil before planting.

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Pumpkin Flower Centerpiece

pumpkin center piece,halloween crafts for the web
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

In just three easy steps you can create this gorgeous pumpkin flower centerpiece that's perfect for the center of your Turkey Day tablescape.

See the full instructions here.

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Fall Pumpkin Tableau

Fall Pumpkin Tableau
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Gourds of different size, texture, and color make this seasonal tableau the ideal foyer statement piece.

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Pumpkin Votives

Pumpkin Votive Float
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Step up your fall decorating game by displaying glowing pumpkin votives. Float them in water or arrange them on the dining table for a festive Thanksgiving decoration.

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Statement Gold Pieces

Golden Gourds
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Grab a few larger-than-life golden fixtures at your local craft store, and paint them a uniform shade of glamorous, warm gold.

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Tasteful Menu Display

Show Your Cards
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Thanksgiving revolves around food-spend a little extra prep time on displaying the menu. Guests will love knowing what delicious dishes they'll be eating in advance.

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Photo Place Cards

The Place Cards
Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Instead of written place cards, show off your family's personality with individually framed name cards at each place setting.

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Fresh Cotton

Choose Natural, Long-Lasting Materials
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

For a simple statement-worthy centerpiece, add a few sprigs of freshly cut cotton to extra vases and scatter them around your home for a unified decoration.

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Natural Elements

Warm and Natural Centerpiece
Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Bundle together key elements of fall's bounty (like dried corn stalks) with a festive ribbon, and use them as an organic centerpiece on your dining room table.

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Draped Decor

Tasia Malakasis Thanksgiving Table Place Setting
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Tasia Malakasis

Adding the napkin to the stack of plates provides another level of detail and intricacy to this sophisticated setting.

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Well-Placed Pumpkin

Simple Centerpiece
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Here's what to do with your leftover, un-carved pumpkins from Halloween: Insert them into a wide-brimmed container, line with moss, and use as a seasonal centerpiece.

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Creative Kids' Table

The Kids' Table
Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Keep the little ones entertained during the Thanksgiving feast with white paper tablecloths and colored pencils for doodling or challenging each other to tic-tac-toe.

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Build a Bar

Happy Hour
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

Thanksgiving may be the only holiday on which the bar plays second fiddle to the buffet; still, having a well stocked bar cart is key to any successful Southern celebration.

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Practical Plates

Turkey Plates
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Collect china with intricate turkeys, and display them on the wall leading up to Thanksgiving, for a practical cottage décor that doubles as dishes for your Thanksgiving gathering.

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Rustic Revival

Plenty of Desserts
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

Embrace your home's rustic feel. Instead of dressing up your rooms in curtains and cloths, use wooden furniture (in all finishes) to bring a warm, homey vibe.

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Place Cards with Purpose

Create Multipurpose Place Cards
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Etch each guest's name into simple glassware for impressive name cards that double as party favors.

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Tiny Table Toppers

Create Small Arrangements
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

If a centerpiece that blocks conversation is your pet peeve, replace the bulky arrangement with miniature arrangements of your favorite fall flowers.

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Seasonal Centerpieces

The Great Outdoors
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

These festive arrangements are perfect for your Thanksgiving table. Get the look with heirloom or Cinderella pumpkins and a trip to the local florist. Simply carve the pumpkin out in a vase-shape, and fill with water and flowers.

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Layers of Linens

Down-to-Earth Combinations
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

This earthy setting still seems sophisticated, thanks to rustic elements layered with streamlined details. Re-create the look by choosing a three-color scheme and choosing a mixture of modern and natural details.

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Top-Notch To-Go Boxes

Share Leftovers
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Your guests will obviously be leaving your home with a to-go container full of turkey. Dish out your leftovers in style with these personalized to-go boxes.

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Delicate Details

Start with a Plate
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

These adorable place card markers are a super-simple way to make your Thanksgiving setup stand out. Simply take an acorn, hot glue a ribbon, and cut out a paper name marker.

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Modern Cornucopia

Modern Cornucopia Centerpiece for Fall and Thanksgiving
Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Produced and Styled by Buffy Hargett Miller

Skip the basket and opt for a wooden dough bowl for this centerpiece. Line with florist foil and foam and then build out with various fruits, vegetables, gourds, and squash. Showcase the season's bounty in this stunning showstopper.

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Fall Foliage Wreath

Red Leaves Wreath with Pinecones for Fall
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Produced: Kathleen Varner

Use turned leaves to create this stunning wreath. Start with a grapevine wreath and add in foliage and pinecones. Fill the wreath out with oregano, preserved plume reed grass, and phalaris grass.

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Dried Décor

Grouped Items Fall decor
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Produced: Kathleen Varner

Utilize pampas grass and yarrow as decorations on any table this Thanksgiving. Their neutral tones allow you to pair groupings with other décor like gourds and cinnamon sticks for a supremely fall feel.

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Personalized Place Cards

Green Place Card Idea
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Rachael Burrow

Bring the outdoors in with greenery sprigs this holiday. Place a sprig with each name card for a personalized touch at each place setting.

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Pop of Color

Purple Pansies and Cabbage Dough Bowl Container
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Hardy cabbage and kale mix with mini white pumpkins and pansies to create a colorful centerpiece. A long wooden bowl lined with plastic holds these decorations in place and adds to the rustic feel of your décor.

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By Jorie Nicole McDonald

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    1 of 32 Corn Garland
    2 of 32 Pumpkin Topiary
    3 of 32 Cotton Stem Wreath
    4 of 32 Fall Leaf Paper Bag Luminaries
    5 of 32 Pumpkin-and Gourd-Wreath
    6 of 32 No-Carve Leafy Pumpkin
    7 of 32 Succulent Vase
    8 of 32 Pumpkin Flower Centerpiece
    9 of 32 Fall Pumpkin Tableau
    10 of 32 Pumpkin Votives
    11 of 32 Statement Gold Pieces
    12 of 32 Tasteful Menu Display
    13 of 32 Photo Place Cards
    14 of 32 Fresh Cotton
    15 of 32 Natural Elements
    16 of 32 Draped Decor
    17 of 32 Well-Placed Pumpkin
    18 of 32 Creative Kids' Table
    19 of 32 Build a Bar
    20 of 32 Practical Plates
    21 of 32 Rustic Revival
    22 of 32 Place Cards with Purpose
    23 of 32 Tiny Table Toppers
    24 of 32 Seasonal Centerpieces
    25 of 32 Layers of Linens
    26 of 32 Top-Notch To-Go Boxes
    27 of 32 Delicate Details
    28 of 32 Modern Cornucopia
    29 of 32 Fall Foliage Wreath
    30 of 32 Dried Décor
    31 of 32 Personalized Place Cards
    32 of 32 Pop of Color

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    32 Thanksgiving Decor Ideas Guaranteed To Inspire
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